His brows drew together. “I am not certain you mean that, so I shall ignore it,” he said and reached out to touch her face.
Still furious she pulled back, too late realizing he might have been trying to apologize in his way.
She was however, not in the mood for an apology and held herself stiffly in place, giving him a hard glare.
“It would be so much easier for me to help you and your brother if you would but trust me,” he offered on a sigh.
She wanted to trust him, but in truth, no matter what she felt for him, he was a stranger. He could take what he learned and use it against them.
How could she tell him that Vern had turned to thieving to keep house and home? Oh faith! What a tangle she was in? Now, she had another problem and it was one that would no doubt leave her a spinster.
She was certain, completely certain, that she would only love one man and that man was Sir Edward. He, on the other hand was from what she could see, simply wiling away his time in Rye. She was certain he thought of her only as a diversion. Only a moment ago when she was about to throw herself at him, that had been enough. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure it was.
She avoided eye contact and said, “Sir Edward, you may wish to help us, but it isn’t necessary. We have friends that we can rely on…should we need assistance.?
? She felt something in her throat constrict. She wouldn’t cry. She must not cry.
Her words silenced him most effectively.
She saw at once that she had hurt his pride as he sat up and eyed her sadly. She was immediately sorry for it.
He said grimly, “Right then, even now, I am not considered a friend…or trusted to help you? Very well, as you wish. I shall not force my services or attentions on you.” He got to his feet and Star thought she would burst out crying.
“I did not mean that the way it sounded…” she tried as she also got to her feet.
“Oh, but I think you did. I had hoped you might rely on the friendship I offered, but I see it is a false hope.”
She took his hands, “No, don’t go like this…you kindly helped us through a difficult evening. You returned a button to me and said you would keep my secret. I do count you a friend…I do.” Her sense of humor tickled her and she suddenly twinkled at him, “Though, my friends have not stolen kisses from…”
“My saucy girl,” he interrupted immediately and swept her back into his arms, “Answer me this. Did I steal your kisses? Did my hands go where they were unwanted?”
She found she could not meet his gaze and he chuckled before he told her, “Ah, just as I thought. I bid thee goodnight, sweetheart, for I do not trust myself to remain a moment longer.”
He turned and she watched his retreating form as he left her alone in the library. She knew that she had freely given her kisses to him. She had so very wanted him to touch her intimately and…she wasn’t sure how far she would have gone. No, that wasn’t the truth. She would have gone as far as he would have taken her. Her cheeks burned with this knowledge.
In spite of the seriousness of the moment, Star smiled to herself.
She was in love with Sir Edward. She was completely and totally in love with him and something about everything he had said and done made her think she might have hope that he felt the same.
Chapter Fourteen
MISS MADISON TURNED to her two escorts and a frown descended over her features. She was undecided. She could see that both Jules and Miles wanted to be invited inside the Berkley house. It was the polite thing to do. But… and that was the heart of the matter, ‘the but’ because it would not serve.
She was sure they wanted to seek out Star and Vern and find out more information regarding Vern’s extremely extraordinary appearance at the Sefton Ball. Instinct made up her mind for her.
“Miles, Jules…thank you both for seeing me home. Please extend my thanks with yours when you return the Sefton coach to them. It was most gracious of them to loan it to us tonight.” She turned for the front door.
Miles reached out and touched her cloaked arm. “Hang it, Georgie. We are coming in with you.”
Georgie had known Miles most of her life and knew just how to handle his exuberance. She put up a haughty chin and said in a voice that would brook no insolence, “Goodnight, Miles. I am certain Star and Vern are both tucked in by now, so you shall just have to wait until morning to see them.” She turned to Jules and gave him her hand. Her smile was soft, her voice softer still, “Mr. Stamford, allow me to tell you what a wonderful time I had tonight…thanks to you and your kindness.”
Jules wanted in just as much as Miles did and Georgie knew this. She also knew he was too much of a gentleman to do more than bow over her hand. She was, however, quite surprised when he said, “Ah, but, I thought we settled it that I am Jules and you are Georgie?”
She nodded and her eyes twinkled into his. He grinned like a boy and continued, “Very well then, Georgie,” he said jovially. “The pleasure was all mine. I can think of no better way to spend an evening than in your delightful company and if I wanted to go in now with you, it would be to extend that pleasure for a few more moments.”
She laughed and said, “Indeed, very cleverly put, but I am never easily fooled, sir.”
Miles made a choking sound and said, “You two make me quite sick. What stuff and rubbish you London beaus are forever throwing at a woman. Well, Georgie has too much good sense to take in your gammon, Jules.”